Monday, May 14, 2007

Expo 17

I've just come across a fascinating website that proposes another world's fair for Montreal in 2017. Celebrating the sesqui­centennial of Canadian Confederation (150 years), Expo 17 would revitalize the south west shore of Montreal and breathe new life into the city.

A map of the proposed Expo 17 site.

Expo 17 would be divided into 4 thematic sections:

Earth: Representing human habitation and its relationship with the planet’s ecosystem, the Earth theme would include a sustainable housing exhibition, Habitat 2017, as well as a horticultural exhibition.

Fire: Representing light and energy, the theme of Fire would be a tribute to community and celebration. In honor of this, Expo 17 would invite the nations of the world around a collective hearth.

Water: Bringing life back to the banks of the Saint Lawrence River would be the goal of the exhibition's Water theme.

Air: Old Montreal would be a car-free area for Expo 17's Air theme.

The proposal advocates using advanced modular planning to ensure that every structure and pavilion would be re-used or re-located after Expo. Elements such as La Ronde and the Gilles Villeneuve racetrack have been carefully integrated into the master plan.

Ultimately, Expo 17 would be a chance for Canada to show that it is an innovative nation, with a caring population, acting as active guardians of the planet. Needless to say, the idea of another world exhibition in Montreal gives me goosebumps...